Collapsible Tent Structures

ABSTRACT

A collapsible tent structure formed from at least one flexible support pole, and a flexible cover with a plurality of elements for attaching the flexible cover to the support pole, such that the flexible cover and attaching elements are configured so that at least one extended section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface, is disclosed. In an embodiment with two flexible support poles, a first support pole forms a roof line of the collapsible tent structure, and a second support pole forms the floor perimeter of the collapsible tent structure. In different embodiments, the flexible cover may be manufactured from nylon ripstop, canvas, polyvinylchloride, and/or polyethylene material. The collapsible tent structure may also include one or more openable doors and/or windows incorporated into the flexible cover.

BACKGROUND

The use of tents and tent-type structures is prevalent and wide ranging. Indeed, tents are used for a multitude of activities extending from camping to beach time. Such structures and coverings provide protection from wind, rain, and, especially in the beach environment, protection from the sun. One important feature for most all tent structures used in an outdoor temporary setting is that the structure must be (a) easy to assemble and deploy, (b) easy to disassemble or collapse, (c) be readily portable so that it can be transported to where it will be used, and (d) readily storable when not in use.

An element of such desire for ease of assembly, disassembly, and portability is that a tent structure should have a limited number of assembly parts or elements. Where there are numerous elements, or worse yet, many loose parts, there is always the risk of losing parts or elements, or simply having difficulty in assembly and deployment. There are many examples of tent structures that are used once or never simply because there is such difficulty in setting up the structure.

That is, the tent structure should be easy to assemble and set up, and preferably the tent structure should easily unfold in obvious and somewhat automatic fashion. Similarly, the tent structure should be easy to disassemble or fold up, and easy to transport when disassembled or in a folded configuration.

Equally important, once assembled and set up, the tent structure should relatively sturdy against outside conditions such as rain, wind, and/or sun. The balancing of the features of being sturdy, on the one hand, and being easy to transport and to assemble, on the other hand, is where design focus has been relating to various tent systems. With newer materials, including composites and pliable plastics for tent pole structures, and lightweight, durable textiles for the tent coverings, there have been different tent designs seeking to find the best balance of sturdiness and durability with the need to also be easy to transport, assemble, and disassemble.

Many different types of tent-type structures and assembly systems have been created and commercialized to address these problems and issues. While there have been many such designs, and indeed, new designs continue to evolve, none appear to provide an optimal or even widely accepted solution for a tent design that is lightweight, easily transported, readily storable, easily assembled, and easily disassembled.

One example of such a prior art system includes U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/225,776 for a Tent Frame, by Choi. The Choi application discloses a folding tent frame structure “comprising two groups of supporting frame rods” such that the two groups of supporting frame rods are arranged side by side, and expandable to form a V shape. Accordingly, the Choi application and disclosed system appears to teach a series of rods which may allow for telescoping operation, and does involve some intricate steps to breakdown the frame and fold the frame rods into position. Moreover, the added hinges and telescoping elements likely increase the tent weight, and surely introduce additional points of failure as part of assembly and disassembly.

Other tent designs on the market do provide for ready set up or deployment, but are not very stable because the tent contact points with the ground or support surface is limited to a single or two points, and does not provide for an extended or substantial section of the tent structure that is contact with the ground, and which can be anchored to the ground.

Several other portable tent structures have been designed and are being commercialized. Unfortunately, many of such designs suffer from design flaws which limit their utility. More particularly, many of the current designs fabricate the tent poles or legs from a metal or spring steel material. While such material is durable, and does provide an “automatic” aspect to assembly or unfolding, such material does not lend itself to ease of folding, and given the high modulus of elasticity of most metals, once deformed, either improperly or properly, such materials do not return to their original shape. As such, if as part of the folding process, a user folds or forces a metal pole or rib into place that is not precisely where the metal pole is to fold, that pole or leg may become permanently deformed, thereby making the tent structure potentially unusable.

Accordingly, it would be useful to have a collapsible tent structure for rapid and easy assembly of the tent structure, while still being easy to disassemble or fold, being lightweight, and in the disassembled or folded configuration, being easy to store and transport. One element to provide stability for a tent structure that does not appear to be completely considered, is the contact surface or sections of the tent structure with the ground. By increasing the surface area of sections of a tent structure that are in contact with the ground, there will be an increase in the stability of the tent structure. Such collapsible tent structures do not appear to have been designed, developed, or commercialized that satisfactorily meets each of these criteria. While certain of these problems may be addressed by one or more examples of the prior art, a complete solution to all of these problems does not appear to have been specifically designed or used in the relevant prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and fulfills the needs described above by providing a collapsible tent structure that includes a plurality of side panels that may be detached from each other, or added to the structure to provide for a wide variation of tent configurations and shapes for varied uses.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is a collapsible tent structure comprising at least one flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a flexible cover connected to said at least one flexible support pole using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment elements are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface; and at least one restrainer element attached to said flexible cover proximate to a location where at least one of said plurality of attachment elements is attached to said flexible cover; wherein for disassembly, said at least one flexible support pole is configurable to form at least one approximate circle shape; wherein for disassembly, approximate opposite sides of each of said at least one flexible support pole are pulled towards each other to form an hour-glass shaped collapsed configuration; wherein for disassembly, each of said at least one flexible support pole, in said collapsed configuration, is folded into at least two substantially circular sections to form a plurality of discs.

A second preferred embodiment of the invention is a collapsible tent structure comprising a first flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a second flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a flexible cover connected to said first and second flexible support poles using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said first flexible support pole forms in part a roof line for said collapsible tent structure, and wherein said second flexible support pole forms a floor perimeter for said collapsible tent structure; wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment means are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface.

A third preferred embodiment of the invention is a collapsible tent structure comprising a first flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a second flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a flexible cover connected to said first and second flexible support poles using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said first flexible support pole forms in part a roof line for said collapsible tent structure, and wherein said second flexible support pole forms a floor perimeter for said collapsible tent structure; wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment means are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface; and further wherein the plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one of a sleeve formed in the flexible cover, strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, or clasps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using two flexible support poles.

FIG. 1B is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure system shown in a fully assembled configuration using a single flexible support pole.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using two flexible support poles.

FIG. 2B is a side view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using a single flexible support pole.

FIG. 3A is a front view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using two flexible support poles.

FIG. 3B is a back view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using two flexible support poles.

FIG. 4A is a front view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using a single flexible support pole.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using a single flexible support pole.

FIG. 5A is a top view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using two flexible support poles.

FIG. 5B is a bottom or floor view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using two flexible support poles.

FIG. 6A is a top view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using a single flexible support pole.

FIG. 6B is a bottom or floor view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully assembled configuration using a single flexible support pole.

FIG. 7A is an overhead view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the opposites sides of the plurality of circles pulled together and twisted to form a figure eight shape.

FIG. 7B is an overhead view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the two figure eight discs folded on top of each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure provides a detailed description of several core embodiments of an innovative design for a collapsible and reconfigurable tent structure 10. In one embodiment, the collapsible tent structure 10 uses a single flexible support pole to provide the tent with its desired shape and overall configuration. A key element of the collapsible tent structure 10 is that, when assembled and deployed, an extended length of the flexible support pole and cover is in contact with the ground on which the collapsible tent is placed.

In a second embodiment, the collapsible tent structure uses at least two flexible support poles to (a) provide the tent with its desired height and shape, and (b) provide the tent floor with the desired footprint, and (c) form the desired configuration, including forming the extended length of at least one of the flexible support poles and cover to be in contact with the ground on which the collapsible tent is placed.

The core elements of the collapsible tent structure 10, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 7B, are at least one flexible support pole or rib 30, along with a flexible cover 90 that is attached to the flexible support poles 30 at a plurality of locations using a plurality of retainer elements 50. The shape of the collapsible tent 10 is provided by the specific assembled shape of the flexible support poles 30, the flexible cover 90, and the particular location of the retainer elements 50.

Exemplary perspective views of the above two noted embodiments of the collapsible tent 10 are shown in FIG. 1A (for the multi-pole embodiment), and in FIG. 1B (for the single pole embodiment). Exemplary side views for the multi-pole embodiment, and single pole embodiment are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1A through 2B, a key feature of the collapsible tent 10 is the specific shape of the support poles 30 such that there is created an extended length 130 of the support poles 30 and flexible cover 90 that is in substantial contact with the ground or other support surface upon which the collapsible tent is placed.

For the embodiment incorporating two, or multiple poles, as shown in FIG. 1A, one flexible support pole 31 forms the collapsible tent structure 10 shape, including the roof line. A second flexible support pole 32 forms the collapsible tent structure 10 floor and/or footprint. As shown in FIG. 1A, the multiple pole configuration may be formed such that the first and second flexible support poles 31, 32, are shaped to create an extended length 130 that allows for substantial contact of the support poles 31, 32, and the flexible cover 90, with the ground. An example of such a footprint is shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 6 .

For the embodiment using a single flexible support pole, as shown in FIG. 1B, the one support pole 33 forms the collapsible tent structure 10 shape. While the general shape of the single pole or multi-pole embodiments of the tent structure 10, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, are similar, there are differences, in particular how the tent structure 10 floor or footprint is formed. For the multi-pole embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the tent structure 10 floor has a shape defined by the flexible cover 90 manufactured shape as filled out and formed by the second flexible support pole 32. For the single pole embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the tent structure 10 floor has an adjustable shape defined by the flexible cover 90 manufactured shape, as then set up the user. As shown in FIG. 1B, the floor may be pulled in to follow the shape of the single flexible support pole 31, or the floor may be pushed out to more closely resemble a foot print similar to the multi-pole embodiment.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible cover 90 may be manufactured so that it may be used in either the single-pole configuration or the multi-pole configuration depending upon the intended use and choice of the user. Such a configuration could be fabricated with the retainer elements being sleeve sections formed into the flexible cover 90 such that the flexible support poles 30 may be slid into the sleeves 51 formed in the flexible cover 90, and then connected end-to-end to form the support pole circular configuration.

The stability of the collapsible tent structure 10 is enhanced, as compared to other similar shaped tent structures, by the increased length and section of the single support pole 30 and flexible cover 90 that is in contact with, and may be anchored to the ground or other support surface. The support pole 30 may be specifically pre-formed having a specific length that is substantially linear, to provide for the extended length 130, or alternatively, the extended length may be formed by the configuration of the flexible cover 90 and use of a plurality of the retainer elements 50 to constrain the desired section of the support pole 30 into the desired extended length 130.

In another embodiment, to provide further stability to the collapsible tent structure 10, one or more of the flexible support poles 30 may be paired with a second support pole 30. By pairing two support poles together, the resiliency and support capability of the tent structure is increased. In different embodiments, two of the flexible support poles may be paired by use of clips, elastic bands, or tie elements (each not shown).

A core aspect of the collapsibility of the tent structure 10 is a function of the flexible, but structurally resilient support poles 30. The flexibility of the support poles 30 allows the collapsible tent structure to be easily assembled and deployed, from a stored configuration, and also allows for easy disassembly and collapsing of the tent structure 10 into a convenient storage configuration. The flexibility of the support poles 30, as described above, also allows for the forming of the support poles 30 and the tent structure 10 with the extended length 130 in either the single pole or two pole configuration.

The flexible support poles 30 may be pre-formed as contiguous substantially circular sections, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 2B. For the flexible support poles 30 in this type of embodiment, may be pre-shaped through use of the cover 90 to deform or shape the support poles 30 into a skeletal form to shape the tent into the desired form as shown in FIGS. 1A through 7B, as for example a tunnel-type shelter. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5A through 6B, the flexible support poles 30 may be formed with two ends and connectors 70, 71 that, as part of assembly of the tent structure are connected to each other, to thereby form the substantially circular support pole 30.

Disassembly or collapsing of the tent structure 10 into a convenient transportation or storage configuration is easily achieved. More specifically, the substantially circular flexible support pole sections 30 may be readily collapsed by pulling opposite sides of the “circle” together to create an hour-glass shape or figure eight shape. Then with a slight twisting motion, one half of the figure-eight shape is folded on top of the other half of the figure-eight shape to form essentially a disc configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7A. The number of discs is dependent upon the number of flexible support poles 30 used in the setup of the tent structure 10. More particularly, for a tent with one pole, there will be two disc in the disassembled, and folded configuration, while for a tent with two support poles 30, there will be four discs in the fully folded configuration.

Once in the “disc” or collapsed configuration, a strap or other securing element 150 may be used to keep each of the discs in place adjacent to and in relation to each of the other discs as shown in FIG. 7B. Alternatively, there may be clips, hook and loop (Velcro®) pieces, buckle, button, clasp, snap, or other similar type of securing mechanisms 150 that can be used to maintain the discs in approximate position next to each other in the folded configuration.

The assembly or setup of the collapsible tent structure 10 is undertaken in the opposite steps. The securing mechanisms or clips 150 may be released to allow the discs to separate from each other. With a little urging, each of the discs may be untwisted and unfolded to form the figure-eight shape. Once in this configuration, the tendency of the support poles 30 will be to flex into their normal circular configurations as constrained by the flexible cover 90.

As described, the folding or collapsing of the collapsible tent structure 10 for transportation and storage, is an easy and intuitive operation. The user simply pulls the opposite sides of the circle formed poles together to form a figure-eight shape; and then folds one half of the figure-eight on top of the other half of the figure-eight with a slight twisting motion. The two halves of the figure-eights may then be connected to each other for easy and compact storage and/or transport. When fully collapsed, the tent structure 10 is fairly compact, and may be placed within a bag or sack 210 (not shown), that may be shaped to properly fit the folded tent structure.

In a further embodiment, where the collapsible tent structure 10 is formed from a larger single or multiple set of flexible support poles 30, the folding or collapsing process may be repeated to provide for smaller discs. By way of example, the substantially circular flexible support pole sections 30 may be collapsed into an hour-glass shape or figure eight shape, and then with a slight twisting motion, one half of the figure-eight shape is folded on top of the other half of the figure-eight shape to form two stacked discs. This process may be repeated by pulling the sides of the stacked discs together to form a smaller hour-glass or figure eight shape, and then as above, with a slight twisting motion, one half of the figure-eight shape may be folded on top of the other section of the figure-eight shape to now form a stack of four discs. In the same fashion, where the stacked discs are large, and further collapsing is possible, the four stacked discs may be further collapsed and folded to form a stack of eight discs.

With each of these collapsing or folding sets, the size of the collapsed disc is approximately one-half the diameter of the disc section prior to folding. Accordingly, where the original flexible support pole circle is 4 meters in diameter, one folding step results in a collapsed set of discs of approximately 2 meters, and a second folding step results in a further collapsed set of discs of approximately 1 meter.

As shown in FIGS. 1A through 7B, the flexible cover 90 may be configured with one or more doors 100 and windows 110. The doors 110 are to allow users to easily enter and leave the tent structure 10. The windows 110 allow the users to see out of the tent structure, and to allow others to see into the tent structure 10. The windows 110 also allow wind to pass through but to still provide a level of protection from sand or other wind-blown objects. Such a window also allows users to see out of the tent structure. The tent structure may also be configured with flexible shades (not shown) that can be positioned over the windows to provide some privacy and to block wind.

In a similar fashion, one or more cutouts 120 may be incorporated into the flexible cover 90, for example near the top of the covering to allow for release of air pressure when wind blows into the tent structure 10 thereby helping to maintain the tent structure from inadvertently moving when the wind blows and catches within the tent interior.

In order to balance the elements of strength, durability, and weight, the flexible poles 30 may be manufactured from any type of resilient thermoplastic or composite material. The flexible cover 90 may be manufactured from most any type of lightweight, flexible textile, such as nylon ripstop or similar types of polyester fabrics. Alternative and additional materials that may be used to manufacture some or the entirety of the flexible cover 90 include polyester, canvas, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene, as well as other flexible textiles and poly-type materials. The retainer elements 50 may be manufactured from similar materials as the flexible cover 90 is formed. Such consistency of manufacturing materials provides for a more appealing “look” for the tent structure 10.

The tent structure 10 may also be configured with a plurality of bag elements 200 (not shown) for use to weigh down or provide ballast to the structure. At the beach, sand can be easily placed in the bag elements 200, whereas for use with camping or non-beach activities, stones or a plurality of smaller rocks can be placed in the bag elements 200 to provide additional weight or ballast. When it is time to collapse and transport the tent structure 10, the sand, stones, or small rocks may be readily removed from the bag elements 200, and disassembly or folding is easily achieved. The location for such bag elements could be along the perimeter of the tent structure floor. For additional positional support and stability, the ends of the leg sections of the tent structure can also be anchored to the wrong with removable stakes 201 (not shown).

While preferred embodiments of the inventive collapsible tent structure 10 have been described and disclosed, in particular by reference to certain figures and exemplary embodiments using either a single or two flexible support poles, such embodiments and design are not to be construed as limiting the scope of application of the inventive devices or products. For example, as described and claimed, the collapsible tent structure 10 may be configured with additional poles 30, including three or four poles. By way of further example, the collapsible tent structure 10 may be assembled and deployed with a pair of flexible support poles 30 to provide further strength and resiliency. As such with additional poles 30, the integral tent structure may be designed and configured in a variety of shapes and sizes, including for use as a beach, bed, shower, or pod-type tent configuration. As noted, with less poles, the folding process is less bulky, and easier to transport, while more poles will result in a stronger, heavier, and more resilient configuration. All such alternate embodiments are believed to be within the scope of the inventive design and below claims.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other modifications, substitutions, and/or other applications are possible, and all such modifications, substitutions and applications are within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. It is likewise understood that the above disclosure and attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, and/or applications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible tent structure comprising: at least one flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a flexible cover connected to said at least one flexible support pole using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment elements are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface; and at least one restrainer element attached to said flexible cover proximate to a location where at least one of said plurality of attachment elements is attached to said flexible cover; wherein for disassembly, said at least one flexible support pole is configurable to form at least one approximate circle shape; wherein for disassembly, approximate opposite sides of each of said at least one flexible support pole are pulled towards each other to form an hour-glass shaped collapsed configuration; wherein for disassembly, each of said at least one flexible support pole, in said collapsed configuration, is folded into at least two substantially circular sections to form a plurality of discs.
 2. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one sleeve formed in said flexible cover.
 3. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and clasps.
 4. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one securing element to secure said at least two substantially circular sections proximate to each other.
 5. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material.
 6. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material.
 7. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from at least one of polyvinylchloride or polyethylene material.
 8. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one openable door within said flexible cover.
 9. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover.
 10. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure.
 11. A collapsible tent structure comprising: a first flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a second flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape; a flexible cover connected to said first and second flexible support poles using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said first flexible support pole forms in part a roof line for said collapsible tent structure, and wherein said second flexible support pole forms a floor perimeter for said collapsible tent structure; wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment means are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface.
 12. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one sleeve formed in said flexible cover.
 13. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and clasps.
 14. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material.
 15. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material.
 16. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover is formed from at least one of polyvinylchloride or polyethylene material.
 17. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, further comprising at least one openable door within said flexible cover.
 18. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover.
 19. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover further comprises a plurality of stakes to anchor said collapsible tent structure.
 20. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure. 